Morning all,

Where i’m staying the wifi is a bit intermittent. So for the next couple of days it’s a case of short daily previews with a selection or two.

One of the best meetings in the world gets underway this afternoon. Royal Ascot provides five days of fantastic action from the very first race to the last. There’s a healthy mix of Group races and handicaps for punters to get stuck into.

The weather also looks like it will play ball for the five days with the meeting getting off to a warm and dry start.

Royal Ascot – Day 1

The going for day one is good to firm, good in places. it should be ideal flat racing ground for the whole meeting.

Baaeed and Coroebus are the headline acts of day one at Royal Ascot. Both colts will be long odds on to win their respective racex.

Punting wise I tend to struggle with the juvenile races at the Royal meeting. However, its that division that excites me most coming into this year’s meeting. The first of the 2-year-old races is the Group 2 Coventry Stakes (3:05).

3:10 – Coventry Stakes (Group 2) – 6f

Aidan O’Brien has saddled the Coventry Stakes winner nine times. He has strong hand here with Blackbeard & Age Of Kings. The first named is unbeaten on his three career starts and is the pick of Ryan Moore. Age Of Kings looked a useful prospect when winning at the Curragh 13-days ago. The son of Kingman will stay further than 6f but shouldn’t be far away today.

The best of the home team looks to be Persian Force & Royal Scotsman. The form has impressed on both starts. Whilst the latter looked a smart prospect when winning at Goodwood last month and can go close if stall 1 isn't an inconvenience.

3:40 – King’s Stand Stakes (Group 1) – 5f

The pace is expected to be very strong and that could play against Golden Pal. Australian challenger Nature Strip is the highest rated of the field on official ratings and should make his presence felt if reproducing his smart southern hemisphere form here.

Ryan Moore has been booked for Twilight Calls. The 5-year-old was unlucky in the run when runner-up at Haydock last time. Today’s forecast strong pace will suit as should Ascot’s stiff 5f. Another who could be suited by a strongly run 5f is Mooneista. The filly won Group 2 last season and although she will need to find more improvement to win today can’t be totally dismissed and has each way claims.

Royal Ascot Selection:

3:40 – Mooneista – 12/1 (each way).

Good luck with your Royal Ascot bets.

John